Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage Template

In the [Name of Court] Court of [County], [State]

Case No.: __________________________

Petitioner: [Full Name of Petitioner]
Respondent: [Full Name of Respondent]

1. Identification of Respondent

I, [Respondent’s Full Name], residing at [Address, City, State, ZIP], submit this Response to the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage filed by [Petitioner’s Full Name].

2. Acknowledgment of Marriage

Respondent admits that the parties were legally married on [Marriage Date] in [City, State].

3. Response to Allegations

Respondent answers the allegations in the Petition as follows:

(Add additional rows as needed.)

4. Children of the Marriage

The Respondent states the following regarding minor children:

• Number of minor children: [Number]

• Names and dates of birth: [Full Name, DOB]

The Respondent [agrees/disagrees] with the custody and visitation terms proposed by the Petitioner and instead requests the following arrangement:
[Outline desired custody, visitation schedule, and child support terms.]

5. Property and Debt Division

The Respondent [agrees/disagrees] with the Petitioner’s proposed division of property and debts.
Requested division:

• Property to Respondent: [List assets]

• Property to Petitioner: [List assets]

• Debts responsibility: [List debts and allocation]

6. Spousal Support

The Respondent [does/does not] request spousal support (alimony).
If requested:

• Monthly amount: $[Amount]

• Duration: [Time Period or “until further order of the court”]

7. Restoration of Name (if applicable)

The Respondent requests that their former name, [Previous Name], be restored.

8. Counterclaims (Optional)

Respondent asserts the following counterclaims:
[Insert details, if applicable — e.g., custody modification, financial relief, division of additional assets.]

9. Prayer for Relief

The Respondent respectfully requests that the Court:

1. Accept this Response as properly filed and served.

2. Grant a fair and equitable division of marital property and debts.

3. Establish custody, visitation, and support terms consistent with the Respondent’s requests.

4. Deny any relief sought by the Petitioner that is not consistent with law or fairness.

5. Grant any other relief the Court deems just and proper.

Date: __________________________
Respondent’s Signature: __________________________
Printed Name: __________________________
Address: __________________________
Phone Number: __________________________
Email: __________________________

Verification

I, [Respondent’s Name], affirm under penalty of perjury that the statements contained in this Response are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signature: __________________________
Date: __________________________

Certificate of Service

I hereby certify that a copy of this Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage was served on [Petitioner’s Name or Petitioner’s Attorney] at [Address or Email] on [Date].

Signature: __________________________
Date: __________________________